Here's what Eagles coach Doug Pederson had to say in a conference call with the Atlanta media on Sunday:
Q: What does are your thoughts on Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones as a player?
A: "The speed really shows up sideline to sideline. He's a physical guy and he's hard to block quite honestly, even if you have proper angles because he is so quick. He's just a young, talented player that is valuable to that defense."
Q: What are your thoughts on rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley?
A: "I laughed because it's a great receiving corps. It's probably one of the tops in the National Football League. We obviously know a (Mohamed) Sanu and Julio (Jones) and what they can do, but Calvin Ridley, I remember him coming out. There is a surprise element with his speed. He's got some really good kind of sneaky speed. He catches the ball extremely well. He had a really good college career at Alabama. He makes this group that much more (difficult) to defend with the other two guys."
Q: Are you expecting to see him back there returning (kickoffs)?
A: "I watched a little bit of (the Chiefs game). It's the first game. You have to expect everything. You have to expect him being back there just like you would expect a Sanu pass. There are things that we have to anticipate and he's one of them. There is not a lot of film obviously, but what he's done and can do, you definitely have to be prepared for anything."
Q: What are thoughts on Matt Ryan and what he’s been able to accomplish over his career?
A: "I've had a lot of respect, and still do have a lot of respect, for Matt Ryan and his game. I love everything about the way he plays, the way he approaches the game. Number one, he's a pro's pro. He's right for that job in Atlanta. He's definitely a guy when you watch him, he's smart. He knows where to go with the football. He takes the shot when it's there. He's also going to pull it down and hit a back or a tight end when it's there or when the shot play is not there. He manages the game that way. But at the same time you've got to be prepared for his ability to run. He's probably a little better athlete than what you think. He can run and extend plays with his legs better than you think. Just a lot of respect for what he's done in his career and how he's run that team."
Q: On his performance against the Eagles he extended a play on the pass to Devonta Freeman. How did you all see that play?
A: "It came off a little bit of a broken play and those are the things that make him dangerous. …I use the phrase, be a thrower first, but don't throw first. When a quarterback gets out of the pocket, meaning keep your eyes down the field and only throw when necessary. Or that's what he can do, he keeps his eyes down the field when he's out of the pocket. A lot of the big plays that showed up in a couple of those games were from him extending plays. It's something that we definitely have to be aware of on defense."
Q: How’s the overall health of the Eagles?
A: "I feel really good about the guys. You mentioned Alshon (Jeffery) and he's kind of week to week right now. Defensively, we have everybody there, except (defensive tackle) Tim Jernigan is out. (Defensive end) Brandon Graham has been back the last couple of weeks. We are getting healthy there on defense. Offensively, our runners are intact. Our tight ends are intact. Other than a couple of pieces, I feel good. I feel comfortable. I think having some rest the last week - week and a half - will help us this first part of the season. It's going to take everybody to pull out any kind of a victory.
Q: Who will play for Jernigan?
A: "Haloti Ngata is in there. Fletcher Cox is in there. Bruce Hector and Destiny Vaeao are the guys in there at the tackle spot."
Q: Is Alex Mack one of the best players in the league?
A: "This guy is smart. He's athletic. He's tough. Everything that you want in a center. He's really made a nice name for himself in the league. He's getting a lot of respect from us (and) from around the league for his type of play. Just like our center, I feel like with Jason Kelce, and guys like Alex Mack, these guys are great communicators. Everything starts with them. You see that on film, making all of his points and adjustment, class and things of that nature. Solid in the middle and everything else works itself out. That's what they've got up front and he's a great leader for their football team."
Q: How’s Carson Wentz doing and what’s his outlook for the season?
A: "Well, his rehab has gone extremely well. He busted his tail all offseason this summer and training camp to be where he's at today. He's in a good position. He is moving around well. I feel like his lower body strength has improved through his conditioning and rehab. I feel like his arm strength has improved. That really comes from not a lot of reps in training camp. So, he's fresh. We're excited. We're excited to have him and obviously his longevity in this league goes a long way, at some point. ... The thing that I've explained to our guys here actually, when I talk about longevity. When I talk about Carson and I, in my first year as a head coach we drafted Carson Wentz. I have to make sure that my decisions are based not only on the health of players, but for the betterment of the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson and I are attached for a long time. I just want to make sure that we do right by him and obviously, by the team. We'll go from there."
Q: On what makes Nick Foles such a good backup quarterback?
A: "Number one, he's got the right mind-set, the right demeanor of the backup quarterback. When he's in a backup role he doesn't make the starter uncomfortable. He doesn't make waves. He helps the starter. He promotes the starter. He helps prepare the starter. Then when given an opportunity, because he's a veteran quarterback, he's well prepared. That's the thing we saw last year from him. In the offseason this year we saw just how his leadership ability and it's natural. ... He understands that this is Carson's team. That goes back to last year. He understands that. He knows that he has to play well in a backup role. He did it last year and it has to carry over to this year. He's the right guy for us and for what we do offensively. He's just got the mindset of a backup. I have a little experience in a backup (role) and what I've been able to do in my career and I see a lot of that in Nick Foles."
Q: Do you expect Nick to start on Thursday?
A: "I haven't made that decision publicly. It's an internal thing and we're going to take each day as it comes. We'll find out later this week."
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